Friday, June 25, 2010

Firing of Vitter aide raises questions

Not much (nothing) has appeared on the local blogosphere about the firing of Senator David Vitter’s aide, Brent Furer. Furer, who had a domestic violence assault conviction in 2008 and has a history of DWI problems, has been in charge of women’s issues for the Senator.Just a couple of questions. Why wait until election year to finally do something about this? Was Furer released only because Vitter sensed political problems on the horizon?Vitter, who was accused in his first run for the senate by Vincent Bruno, a Republican State Committee member, of being involved with a French Quarter Hooker, confessed to a "very serious sin in my past" after his phone number was found on a Washington Madame’s phone records. Of course, Vitter claimed that the New Orleans charges were untrue. Probably just a strange coincidence.Vitter, who teamed up with ex-senator Larry ‘toe tapping’ Craig in sponsoring the ‘defense of marriage act’ a couple of years ago, has long been a supporter of ‘traditional values’. He has quieted down somewhat on this front since he got caught, instead spending most of his time on other, more traditional conservative causes.If Furer was a top aide to Mary Landrieu, a Democrat, Louisiana’s ‘Christian Conservatives’ would be running in circles having hissy fits. Strangely enough, they have been very quiet about Vitter and his aide.It just comes down to one question – does personal character count in the people we elect to serve us? In Louisiana, this is generally a rhetorical question, because we all know the answer.Although several top Republicans expressed interest in the seat, in the end they lacked to courage to stand up to the power of a sitting senator.No doubt Vitter’s voting record appeals to many Louisianans, and Rep. Charlie Melancon, his Democratic opponent, generates very little enthusiasm.But there are alternatives, and we will explore them in a future post.

I'm surprised John Kennedy didn't go for it, but then he's not really a Republican. I thought maybe Jay Dardenne would, but he tested the water and didn't like it. I can't help but remember that when Eliot Spitzer went through basically the same thing when he was governor of New York. Very similar, it was proved that he had contact with a prostitute. The Democrats in New York insisted he resign, which he did. Does that mean that New York Democrats have higher moral standards than Louisiana Republcians do? Just asking.

Jim, I know Vitter's got warts. But dangit! He's been a reliable vote to do what's right on almost everything.

Certainly, he will never be a powerful Senator (even if the Republicans ever control the Senate again). But at this point, I really can't see anybody that could do better...or anybody that can beat him.

I don't know, though. This deal with his aide is very disturbing, and Melancon & crew are likely to make some hay of it.

Character does matter. Vitter had handled that all with his wife years before the news broke. No excuse for it, mind you. But, it is different when a man fesses up to the offended party BEFORE it is even widely known. In my mind, his wife/family were the ones damaged by his whoring around. It has not been an issue for me with Vitter.

Vitter says he came clean with his wife earlier, but who knows? She is ambitious too, not just some meek little housewife. She was a tough as nails New Orleans prosecutor. She is as capable of posturing as he is.I just wrote something like a 2,000 word comment and erased it. I get frustrated. Suffice it to repeat what I wrote in the blog post, "It just comes down to one question – does personal character count in the people we elect to serve us? In Louisiana, this is generally a rhetorical question, because we all know the answer."

Rules of the road:1. No personal attacks or insults.2. No accustory statements about wrongdoing or criminal acts against anyone.3. Say all you want about the pros and cons concerning the candidates and the issues, or the general subject of the blog post, just follow Rule #1 and Rule #2.

Wow Jim, thanks for the post and your site, very informative. Your interest and commitment to LA politics is amazing and inspiring; can you clone yourself 49 times and spread it around?

...good lord - you are as bad as the times...

smells like donkey in here

I enjoy reading your posts.

why don't you add this to your comments - your blog sucks

I do not know how I stumbled upon your pitiful blog, but apparently you do not know anything about

Great Blog!

Thanks, Jim, for providing a good forum for discussing the candidates.

Love your blog. It makes my day!!!

It's people like you, Jim, that ruin our system.

The only shortcomings of this blog is that more people may not be reading it.

I just looked at the posts. comical. Ada's drunk, corrupt cops caught on tape, some crazy lady making "art" about it (I looked at her "art" and I now know why they have starving artists shows), a Benton hillbilly running a blog about it.Come on Hollywood, this is a great B movie.

I hope you realize that very few people actually read your little blog - but keep on writing if it makes you feel important.